Profile

SouthGrow Profile

The SouthGrow region is well positioned to grow in the future, given its focus on key priorities and collaborations with the communities and agencies in the region. The region has a breadth and depth of strengths drawn from its landscapes, people, businesses, communities and infrastructure.

The SouthGrow region consists of twenty-four south central communities including the Blood Tribe, with a combined population of 166,239.

About two-thirds or the population is between the age of 15 and 64.

The average age of a person residing in the SouthGrow region is 38.3 years old.

Amongst 18 Canadian jurisdictions studied in a 2008 KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study, Lethbridge ranked in the top five for low cost of doing business.

The SouthGrow region consists of 18,604.5 square kilometers of land area (Statistics Canada).

SouthGrow has a well-established agriculture economy. There are over 1 million acres of irrigated farm lands in the region.

The region is strategically located on the North South International Trade Corridor (CANAMEX Highway) and is close to the United States border.

The region has Alberta’s only 24 hour Port of Entry in Alberta is the Coutts/Sweetgrass Border Crossing.

Strong tourism sector attracting 550,000 visitors annually.

The region is home to the Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership (SAAEP), a partnership of 37 municipalities in south central and south western Alberta that facilitates the development of alternate energy systems and attracts corresponding businesses.

The SouthGrow region is home to key research, innovation and education centres including the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centre, and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.